MED 115a - Drug Categories Pg 1-6 Flashcards
Analgesic
A drug that selectively suppresses pain without producing sedation; Treats mild to moderate pain, inflammation and reduces fever
Analgesic (Narcotic)
A drug that inhibits severe pain - can produce tolerance and dependency; Treats moderate to severe pain due to trauma, terminal illnesses, surgery and MI
Narcotic Antagonist
A drug that reverses life-threatening respiratory depression due to incorrect or excessive narcotic dosage; Treats narcotic overdose rapidly, reversing life-threatening situations [naloxone:Narcan]
Antiviral
A drug used in the treatment of viral infections (HIV, herpes); Treats viral illnesses that do not produce immunity or do not have a vaccine to prevent their occurrence
Antifungal
A drug used to treat fungal infections; Treats fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm and candida.
Antibiotic/Antibacterial (Abx)
A drug used to treat infections by killing pathogenic bacteria; Treats infectious diseases by inhibiting the growth or destruction of microorganisms
Anti-inflammatory Analgesics
A drug used to decrease the symptoms of inflammation by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins; Treats inflammation and arthritic conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Anticonvulsant
Prevents and treats seizures
Antiparkinson
Treats Parkinson disease
Anxiolytic
Treats anxiety
Antipsychotic
A drug used to treat various forms of psychotic disorders; Treats various forms of psychotic disorders
Antidepressant
A psychotherapeutic drug that produces mood elevations; Treats chronic depression
Sedative/Hypnotic
A drug that produces sleep; Treats short term insomnia
Insulins
Medications that stimulate carbohydrate metabolism by increasing the movement of glucose into the cells; Treats IDDM Type 1 and NIDDM Type 2
Oral Hypoglycemic
A drug used to stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreatic cells; Treats DM by lowering glucose levels in blood
